Does Your SIP Date Really Affect Returns? Here’s What 10 Years of Data Says

A frequent question among mutual fund investors is: Does the date on which I start my SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) affect my long-term returns? Some prefer starting their SIP at the beginning of the month, while others delay it, hoping for better market timing. But what does data actually show?

What the Research on SIP Date Says

A 10-year study (March 2015 to March 2025) by ETMutualFunds looked at SIP returns of the SBI BlueChip Fund—a large-cap mutual fund—based on different SIP dates throughout the month.

Here’s what they found:

• Returns were remarkably stable, no matter the date.

• The lowest return was 13.07% (SIP on 1st).

• The highest return was 13.26% (SIP on 17th).

• The difference between the best and worst performing SIP date was just 0.19%.

This means if you had invested ₹1,000 every month, your total value after 10 years would range between ₹2.35 lakh and ₹2.38 lakh depending on the date—a very small gap.

What This Means for Your Financial Future

The numbers clearly show that SIP date doesn’t play a big role in your long-term wealth creation. Whether you start your SIP on the 1st, 10th, or 25th, your financial future won’t change significantly because of that one factor.

What truly matters is:

• Regular investing

• Staying committed during market ups and downs

• Choosing the right mutual fund that aligns with your goals

Convenience Over Timing

It’s best to set your SIP date based on your convenience. Many people link it to their salary date to make sure the money gets invested before it’s spent. Delaying SIPs in the hope of better timing often leads to missed investments and smaller portfolios.

Conclusion

Don’t overthink the date of your SIP. Instead, focus on starting early, investing regularly, and staying disciplined. That’s what truly shapes your financial future—not the date on the calendar.

Read more on: How ₹48 Lakh Can Become ₹6 Crore: The Power of 20% Compounding Through the 20-20-20 SIP Rule

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.

Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.